RESEARCH BRIEF SERIES (Number 1)

The learning that adults experience occurs in many settings and is often so taken for granted that the concept of lifelong learning can often seem superfluous. After all, learning is a seamless part of life and happens all the time, making the need to articulate it appear somewhat redundant. However in recent years there has been a conceptual move from the theory and practice of continuing adult education with its connotations of planned courses, to the practice of lifelong learning with its multifaceted dimensions of everyday learning. It is clear that from the perspective of lifelong learning our understanding of the many aspects of adult everyday learning is incomplete, and our theoretical base found wanting. However although the concept of lifelong learning remains open to definition, opportunities exist for research which may assist with an understanding of some of its aspects. The Fellowship Scheme (FS) is one such opportunity. The Fellowship Scheme was initiated in 1992 having developed from the ideas and ideals of Dorothy Elmhirst who founded the Elmgrant Trust 60 years. The Elmgrant Trust is in turn an offshoot of the Dartington Trust founded 70 years ago by Dorothy and Leonard Elmhirst who wished to encourage development of the arts and social sciences (Dean 2000). The Second Chance Trust carries these ideas forward and acts as the Board of Trustees for the Fellowship Scheme. Managed by 5 Trustees and a Trust Administrator the FS offers grants of money and support to people over 30 living in Devon or Cornwall who wish to change the direction of their lives for the benefit of the wider community. There is no upper age limit fo